He also expects to see more requests than were submitted last year, when donations to the annual holiday fund dipped.

"It's my hope that people will be sensitive to these issues, including the storm and related problems, and to give as generously as possibly can," said Arnold, whose agency is based in Greenwich and serves Fairfield County.

Following a tradition now in its fourth decade, The Advocate and Greenwich Time, in conjunction with Family Centers and Person-to-Person of Darien, sponsors the Giving Fund, which gives members of the community a chance to help neighbors in need.

Requests are collected through the agency's programs and published in print and online editions of the newspapers.

"There's a sadness to seeing such need in our community," said Advocate and Greenwich Time Editor John Breunig. "But it's also heartwarming to see readers -- some of whom are struggling themselves -- reaching out to help strangers."

The newspapers have been involved in holiday campaigns since 1983, and saw donations drop last year to less than $63,000.

"Last year was the first year that we were unable to fulfill all of our requests under the Giving Fund. We were about $20,000 short. Hopefully this holiday season, we'll be able to do better," said Bill Brucker, communications director at Family Centers.

In the coming weeks, the newspapers will publish stories of individuals and families who require help paying housing or medical bills, obtaining a much-needed appliance or need car repairs.

"My read and from what I see as the pulse of the community, is that there is still a significant amount of people who are unemployed. The baseline of unemployment is on par with last year," Arnold said.

Ceci Maher, executive director of Person-to-Person, also recognized a growing demand. She said there are many "working poor with dual incomes" in the area who were in trouble before the storm hit.

"These are people working for minimum wages who are at or below the poverty line -- they need assistance with utility bills and living expenses," Maher said. "People have lost wages that they can't replace and lost food that had to be replaced. When you have no reserve, there's a significant impact."

Maher said contributions also indirectly help case workers.

"The Giving Fund is very important for the case workers meeting with clients who have significant need -- working to alleviate the stress and to be able to spread some holiday cheer at a time when many items in the store are unattainable. It's such a gift to the families," Maher said.

No. 1: After years of enduring physical and emotional abuse, Sally recently ended a relationship with her longtime boyfriend. After making her abuser leave the home they shared with four sons, Sally is having difficulty maintaining the home and taking care of the children. Sally is a dedicated mother who is working at a temporary job, but is finding that the pay is not enough to cover the numerous bills and child care expenses she once shared with her partner. The financial struggle is taking a toll on Sally's mental health, causing her to feel a sense of depression and inability to provide for her children. A gift of $500 would help her to pay off her existing debt and allow herself and her children to have a clean slate while starting their new, healthy, life.

No. 2: Cathy is a single mother who was abandoned by her child's father. She has been unemployed for a few years and she and her youngest daughter are living with her parents. She came to live in the United States a few years ago and made the decision to leave her eldest child behind because of financial reasons. A gift of $500 would help her get on her feet and plan toward bringing her oldest child to the country.

No. 3: Jessie is trying to make ends meet for the sake of her young boy, who for the first few years of life had a lot of physical and emotional limitations. Because she does not have a car, it is often difficult for Jessie to make important doctor appointments and get to preschool regularly. With winter near and a lack of public transportation in her area, getting around will be even more difficult. A $500 gift can assist Jessie purchase a reliable vehicle.

No. 4: Maria recently immigrated to the U.S. and is struggling to make ends meet. She and her two children are currently living in a family member's basement. A $500 gift can assist the family with transportation and to help with bills, since Maria is the sole provider.

No. 5 : Emily needs to take two city buses to get her young children to preschool. Having just immigrated to the United States, she does not know English. However, she tries to stay involved with the school and cares deeply for her child's future. Emily's husband is a non-skilled laborer who cleans the windows of New York high rises. Any injury could leave his family without an income. This family could benefit from a $500 gift to assist with nutrition, transportation and bills.